Opodo travel news
Elephants of Sri Lanka
13 Feb 2007
The plight of Sri Lankan elephants has been thrown into the spotlight as the 6th Annual Ceylon Elephant Polo Association (CEPA) tournament opens tomorrow.
As fears grow that the Sri Lankan elephant could become extinct by the end of the 21st century, Sri Lankan wildlife personality Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne has been speaking out.
Mr de de Silva Wijeyeratne said: 'Sri Lanka is home to the largest concentration of wild Asian Elephants in the world, during the seasonal "Gathering" which takes place at Minneriya in the Cultural Triangle.'
'It also enjoys one of the longest documented associations between people and elephants, spanning over two millenia.'
He added, referring to the polo tournament: 'The cultural relationship remains today with the Kandy Perahera having a large collection of caparisoned elephants participating in an ancient pageant.'
The tournament, which runs from 14 - 17 February, will hold a number of events to raise money for the Sri Lankan elephant.
In the 2006 tournament the CEPA raised over US$5,000 for the Sri Lankan Elephant.
This year funds raised will go directly to the Millennium Elephant Foundation.
In times gone by over 600 species of elephants roamed the world. Today just two, the Asian Elephant and the African Elephant, remain.
© Adfero Ltd
As fears grow that the Sri Lankan elephant could become extinct by the end of the 21st century, Sri Lankan wildlife personality Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne has been speaking out.
Mr de de Silva Wijeyeratne said: 'Sri Lanka is home to the largest concentration of wild Asian Elephants in the world, during the seasonal "Gathering" which takes place at Minneriya in the Cultural Triangle.'
'It also enjoys one of the longest documented associations between people and elephants, spanning over two millenia.'
He added, referring to the polo tournament: 'The cultural relationship remains today with the Kandy Perahera having a large collection of caparisoned elephants participating in an ancient pageant.'
The tournament, which runs from 14 - 17 February, will hold a number of events to raise money for the Sri Lankan elephant.
In the 2006 tournament the CEPA raised over US$5,000 for the Sri Lankan Elephant.
This year funds raised will go directly to the Millennium Elephant Foundation.
In times gone by over 600 species of elephants roamed the world. Today just two, the Asian Elephant and the African Elephant, remain.
© Adfero Ltd
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